New CFC Alternative Promises Drop-In Convenience
The transition to HFCs from CFCs has proven bumpy in many applications. R134A, an HFC, is not a simple replacement for R12 CFCs in older air conditioning systems because it is not compatible with the R12-compatible mineral oils that lubricate the compressors. To recharge older, R12-based systems, users must first drain and replace the compressor mineral oil.
The process is costly and time-consuming, especially in automobile and other small compressors that do not contain oil drain plugs. Service technicians must remove the entire compressor to recharge older auto air conditioners with R134A. They then turn it upside down to empty the mineral oil, then refill it with R134A-compatible synthetic polyol ester (POE) oil. After running the compressor a few minutes to let POE scavenge mineral oil from the system, they then remove the compressor again and tip it to remove the mineral oil- laden POE.
"You might have to repeat that process three or four times before you remove all but 3-5% of the mineral oil," says Jim Flowers, president of Protocol Resource Management Inc. (Aurora, ON), Canada's largest R134A repackaging operation."Only then can you evacuate the R12."
Most formulators have tried to create blends of refrigerants that are compatible with mineral oil and simulate the pressure-temperature characteristics of R12, says Flowers. These formulations are generally based on hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which work well with mineral oil lubricants. HCFCs replace some of the chlorine on CFCs with fluorine, so they cause less ozone damage than CFCs. HCFCs will eventually be phased out under the Montreal Protocol.
A handful of these HCFC-based formulations have been certified under the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. These SNAP-approved formulations generally do not meet Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) specifications for use in auto air conditioners, says Flowers. "That's why we haven't endorsed any product until now."
SP34E is different. It is based on conventional R134E and two simple, proprietary chemical additives that the company purchases. "They facilitate proper mineral oil return to compressor," Flowers explains. "The amount of additives is so small, SP34E should meet SAE standards for automotive refrigerants, which must 98.5% pure. also expects it to achieve SNAP approval within six months. Solpower also plans to submit it to the American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers ("ASHRAE") and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for further testing.
Solpower says SP34E is a direct drop-in replacement gas for Freon R12 and R134A refrigerants in automotive, domestic, commercial, and transport refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. According to the company, SP34E runs more efficiently than R134A, with greater capacity and up to 35% lower head pressures.
The Mechanical Laboratory of Australia's Army Technology & Engineering Agency has tested SP34E and finds it an acceptable drop- in replacement for R12 and R134A. Solpower has also tested the product in laboratories and in the field in New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan with similar results.
The product currently holds a 15% share of the Australian refrigerant market after only one year of marketing. Major users include Carrier, Maytag, Thermo King, Hilton Hotels, Jupiter's Casino's (Australia) and various hospitals and trucking operators.
In Australia, the refrigerant is marketed by Dominion Capital Pty Ltd., which gained control of Solpower in 1996, and Solpower Australia Pty Ltd. (which Solpower recently acquired). Dominion Capital owns the worldwide proprietary rights and patents to SP34E and SP34H (a second environmentally friendly refrigerant), which were originally developed by Japan's Kinoh-Kinzohu Co.
Through a Japanese affiliate, Dominion Capital Japan Co. Ltd, Solpower has signed an SP34E distribution agreement with Techno Trading Co Ltd, an affiliated, contracted service agent of Coca Cola in Japan. Techno plans to begin testing SP34E in vending machines Coca Cola refrigeration cabinets.
"The significance of this agreement cannot be understated," says Dominion Capital chairman Peter Voss. "For example, there are more than 1.5 million vending machines slated for conversion in Japan and millions of vending machines owned and operated by Coca Cola worldwide. Estimates for the Japanese contract alone provide revenues in excess of $40 million to our Japanese affiliate."
Solpower purchased exclusive North America sales, distribution, marketing and manufacturing rights for SP34E for $2.4 million in stock in June 1998. It also makes royalty payments of $2.25/kg sold. It currently operates a 2.5 acre site with a 10,000 sq ft warehouse in Elkhart, IN. It estimates the site can accomodate an SP34E production area and tank farm with annual capacity of 20,000 tons of finished product.
In addition to refrigerants, Soltron produces and markets Soltron enzymatic fuel enhancers.
For more information: Jim Flowers, President, Protocol Resource Management Inc., 330 Industrial Pkwy. S., Aurora, ON L4G 3V7, Canada. Phone: 905-713-1174. Fax: 905-713-1790.
Or: Keith Moon, VP Sales & Marketing, Solpower Corp., 7309 E. Stetson Dr., Ste. 102, Scottsdale AZ 85251. Phone: 888-289-8866 or 602-947-6366. Fax: 602-947-6324.
By Alan S. Brown